Shelter: Big city style in a tiny space is the perfect starting place

‘It had everything I needed’

Alexandra Toulch usually has a selection of “goodies” in her apartment.

Photograph by: John Kenney
, THE GAZETTE

Growing up in the West Island, Alexandra Toulch longed to live close to downtown and to university. When her online video blog City-Regal.com morphed into a successful one-woman video production agency about a year after she launched it, Toulch finally had the means to move out of her parents’ home and into her first place. Driving in eastern N.D.G. one day last July, Toulch spotted a For Rent sign in an upscale condo complex, and once she walked into the 400-square-foot corner unit, she knew she was home. Flooded with light from floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides and featuring 10-foot ceilings and high-end finishings, the condo met everything on Toulch’s wish list.

So you knew this was “the one” right away.

It had everything I needed: indoor parking, a washer and dryer in the unit, stainless steel appliances. It’s brand-new and very small, but it was the perfect setup for me. It’s really cute and spacious, plus it’s super-convenient: there’s a breakfast place across the street, a bank, a pharmacy and grocery store on my block. There’s a school and a church, so it’s a very safe area. The métro’s right there as well. I’m renting it from the condo owner, who now lives in the Philippines.

Had you looked at a lot of other places?

Originally, I was going to move in with two roommates, and we were looking at three-bedroom apartments, which were very college-y, and I really felt I was past that. I needed a combined business and living space. I wasn’t prepared to live a student life anymore.

Because this is a condo complex, and not an apartment building, you get quite a bit of bang for your buck.

Definitely. I love to cook, and this kitchen has lots of counter space, all the appliances I need and tons of cabinets. The grey porcelain tiles and wood floors are another bonus; other places I saw in this price range couldn’t even compare to this. A lot of them had older floors or carpets, and were really run-down and didn’t come with all these features. And because this is a corner unit, I get a ton of light. I have the sun all day, which is great, since I work from home.

You’re in school full-time while also running your new business. How’s that going?

I’m in my last semester at Concordia, and the Communications program has really helped me build my business. I do event coverage, corporate videos, and video reviews of hotspots – restaurants, bars, hotels, happenings. I do most of it by myself, but I do have two female videographers that shoot me at events.

I just put that up. Photographs are so important to bring life to a space. I hung 16 8x10 framed black and white photos of my family and friends in a grid, and it really changed the whole room and made it feel like home.

Lots of people who live in small spaces get teeny tiny furniture, but you made this massive sectional sofa and full dining room set work in here. And I love your ladder-bar.

I assembled that myself, my first-ever project and it’s my pride and joy. I bought it at Walmart.

You managed to squeeze this gorgeous red tufted velvet headboard into your bedroom.

I took that from my older sister’s old room. I’ve always loved it and she hasn’t lived at home for years, so I knew I was going to take it one day. She lives in L.A., where I hope to move someday. Those pictures of Venice Beach in L.A. hanging over my bed really inspire me. I spent three summers interning in L.A., which was great experience.

I like how you have lots of mirrors everywhere that bounce the light around: mirrored closet doors, mirrored nesting bedside tables, and a wall of windows in the bedroom.

When the curtains are open, it’s so nice and bright everywhere.

It’s interesting that the bathroom is off your bedroom and not the main living space.

Yes, but guests have to walk through here, which isn’t great.

This bathroom looks like something you’d see in a decor magazine.

I know! Look at this shower – you can fit 10 people in here. And there’s a full-size washer-dryer in a cupboard off the bathroom, along with another closet.

What do you love most about living on your own?

The convenience of coming home between client meetings is amazing. I’m right in the middle of everything. If I’m at school and want to stop in for lunch before heading to my meeting downtown, I have time to do that.

Are you planning to do anything else to the space?

I’m a bit of a vintage gal. My dad used to be a DJ, and he gave me a pile of his old records and a turntable, so I want to get some shelving to display all of it in the corner.

Shelter is a weekly series featuring a conversation with tenants or condo owners.

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